[retic3nt]

im looking for some cheap iems that have decent isolation. So far all ive come up with are the j-jays and the denon c351. What do you guys suggest?

one other thing, how well do the denon 551's isolate? i was interested in them but apparently they dont isolate very well?

 

[wrecked_porsche]

I'm using the Crossroads x3i right now, and their isolation is quite good. I'm using the bi-flanges. I'd say they are 4/5 as good as the iM716 tri-flange isolation.

Pity the x3i build quality is just average, because they sound really good.

 

[retic3nt]

yeah i was thinking of the x3i but the build quality sounds so horrible i want something i know will last. any other suggestions?

 

[electronicmaji]

for 15 bucks more you can get er6i's

 

[incognitoedleon]

The im616 can be had for $50 before shipping at Amazon Marketplace and ZipZoomFly. If you ever need replacement filters, I believe the ety8 ones should fit.

 

[ourfpshero]

the zune version 2 earphones sound great for 35.00. (the ones with the braided lines)

 

[wrecked_porsche]

Maybe get one of the Altec "upgrader" series of IEMs?

 

[danny16]

creative ep-630 i think is the name of the ones i got my friend for her birthday. she loves them, i reckon they sounded pretty good but i've heard the bass can bloat a bit. Although thats becoming common for IEM's

but they get good reception from most people.

 

[MD1032]

The im716's get another vote from me. Really cheap, ridiculously good resolution. Not big on bass, though.

 

[bobkin]

I'm very happy with my sennheiser cx300 for portable use. They isolate well and the sound is pretty good, but a little bass focused. They're also relatively comfortable. I've tried the denon c-551s but not extensively. They sound great to me and I was perfectly happy with their isolation. I find them slightly less comfy than my sennheisers. I do prefer the denons' y-style of cord rather than the j-style of the sennheisers. The 551s also feel classier!

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

IM716 with Shure black foam tips will isolate a lot, but really needs an amp to drive them. And if you replace the in-line pod with volume and bass/hd mode with a pair of 47 ohm resistors the sound is even better. They fit your price range, but again, they sound best with an amp.

I could not get the CX300 to isolate well for me at all. My Denon C7000 have fair isolation for listening in the car or bus, but not good enough for a plane ride (engine noise gets through). The JVC Air Cushion FX66 for $35 are pretty decent without an amp, and isolate just a little more than my C700, although not as much as the IM716 or ER6i. I've had ER6i and they lacked a bit of bass vs IM716, but isolate just as well when used with the Shure black foam tips. Even though the ER6i don't need an amp for volume, they need bass boost to be enjoyed, like with a Penguin Caffeine amp with bass boost or Headstage Lyrix Pro amp.

 

[retic3nt]

1) where can i get the im716 cheap?
2) can anyone else with the c551 share their thoughts (particularly on
isolation)?
3) anyone have thoughts or anything about the c351 or j-jays?

thanks.

 

[kilgoretrout]

Shure is pretty good. I can't recommend a specific model though. Make they come with a number of different earbuds because how well they isolate depends on it.

 

[Akathisia]

I'll throw in a vote for JVC "Marshmellows" because they isolate fairly well stock, and they are cheap enough to allow you to do some tip rolling to find a good combo for you. Remove the earwax shield and they sound great for the money.

 

[HeadphoneAddict]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Akathisia /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'll throw in a vote for JVC "Marshmellows" because they isolate fairly well stock, and they are cheap enough to allow you to do some tip rolling to find a good combo for you. Remove the earwax shield and they sound great for the money.

I thought that the FX66 AirCushion were better than the FX33 Marshmallow, so much that I gave away both pairs of Marshmallows.